buying cat 30
- Thread starter dlewis812
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You will need to put a bright pink or orange ball on the VHF antenna ... so you can be sure which C30 is yours in the marina ... Mine is the one with the Jack in the Box clown ...
Seriously, what are you looking for in a boat?
Negatives are that an early 80's boat is 25-30 years old. There are a few well documented changes to the C30 since that boat was built. If the boat you are looking at needs them or not is more a function of the care she's gotten over the years.
Wood filler in bilge *might* be a problem.
Wood core in deck *might* be a problem.
Wood in compression post support in bilge *might* be a problem.
I don't remember when they changed the rudder, the early rudders are a pain to sail with.
I'm biased ... I like my C30.
I wish the side decks were a bit wider. I wish the hatch were smaller. I wish the cockpit drains were larger. I wish they hadn't trapped the wire harness between the deck and liner. I wish she was 2000 pounds lighter ...
There are no problems with Catalinas that are not also problems with any production sailboat built in the early '80s. Some boats have blister problems, others don't.
I don't think you can get more boat for your $$ than a C30. It is not possible to sell 6500 boats if there are any real problems with the design.
I have #10 ... built in 1975. I have had every one of the old boat problems and repaired/upgraded. I've spent more than the price of a new boat in refitting ... There is no boat I'd rather have. She is just big enough to sail like a "big boat" yet small enough to toss around like a dinghy (a fat, heavy dinghy).
One of the things you get with a C30 is the stories ... almost every sailor I meet has a C30 experience to share over a beer. You also get a manufacturer that still supports the boat and a class organization with people that have seen everything at least once and know how to help if you need it.
Randy
randy,
thanks for all the info. I agree with you on the catalina's; have greatly enjoyed my 25. obviously more concerned with cruising than speed but really, how slow is the 30?? was very surprised to see how big (beam) the boat seems. again doesn't greatly matter but hoping not too bad.
thanks for all the info. I agree with you on the catalina's; have greatly enjoyed my 25. obviously more concerned with cruising than speed but really, how slow is the 30?? was very surprised to see how big (beam) the boat seems. again doesn't greatly matter but hoping not too bad.
I think a C30 is a great boat to go sailing. The most bang for the buck. Easy to repair. Parts are not hard to come by. wealth of knowledge on this site and across the web.
Biggest concern is the wood core. Almost all of the early boats them have water intrusion in the core. Mine does. I beefed up all the hardware. The traveler is useless in any good wind. First thing I did was change it to a Garheahuar. (sp?) Owned it for 10 years now. See my refit page. http://www.sailthehudson.com/Refitting Sea Fever.htm
Good luck and enjoy!
SH
Biggest concern is the wood core. Almost all of the early boats them have water intrusion in the core. Mine does. I beefed up all the hardware. The traveler is useless in any good wind. First thing I did was change it to a Garheahuar. (sp?) Owned it for 10 years now. See my refit page. http://www.sailthehudson.com/Refitting Sea Fever.htm
Good luck and enjoy!
SH
No one that races against me thinks a C30 is slow.
Slow?
A C30 is no hot rod, but they sail very well. They are too heavy to surf like some of the more modern designs.
It is a 25 foot water line boat ... speed under sail is 5+ to about 8. Theoretical "hull speed" is 6.7 knots, with decent sails and a bit of attention to trim she will sail between 5.5 and 6 knots all day. 6 to 7 knots requires more attention and crew on the rail at times. Power reaching with crew on the rail and the spinnaker up is fun city and about 8.5 knots in a 20 knot breeze.
The beam is what makes her one of the biggest feeling 30 footers ever built. This is only a problem in choppy conditions, in flat water or ocean swells she is very happy.
Randy
My slip mate and another 30 owner have reported issue with leaking ports. This issue seems to be very serious imo due to the damge done to the wood framing the ports.
I have a 27 and love the 30 from the 80's .
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=114625
This thread show pictures
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=113250
I have a 27 and love the 30 from the 80's .
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=114625
This thread show pictures
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=113250
Watch the Diesel
The Universal M 25 XP is the most desirable engine, Avoid the smaller diesels, as they can be problematic in a current. The Venrable Atomic Four gasser is enough power and sometimes a real bargain.
The Universal M 25 XP is the most desirable engine, Avoid the smaller diesels, as they can be problematic in a current. The Venrable Atomic Four gasser is enough power and sometimes a real bargain.
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